Towing with a 4 cyl.
- Thread starter geckert
- Start date
riddler
New Member
I wanted to chime in... even though most may have already been said.
In general you will want to be light because the tow rating for the vehicle is probably 1500 - 1800 lbs. The biggest issue is the extra load on the trans and brakes. But if you stay light, should be no problem. Keep in mind the position of the bike relative to the axel. You don't want to be too far forward, tongue weight can become a concern.
I used a Neon (manual trans) for years. My trailer was a 4X6 snow bear utility trailer with a slight mod to the front to get the bike to fit. Got the trailer at home depot assembled for just over $500. I like the trailer over the rail type cause of the lift gate making loading/unloading really easy. Still the trailer weighs less than 300 lbs.
Also, there are tons of places around that will sell you a hitch and install it with wiring for approx $270.
All that said, I recently upgraded to a Charger with a Hemi... still using the same trailer.
In general you will want to be light because the tow rating for the vehicle is probably 1500 - 1800 lbs. The biggest issue is the extra load on the trans and brakes. But if you stay light, should be no problem. Keep in mind the position of the bike relative to the axel. You don't want to be too far forward, tongue weight can become a concern.
I used a Neon (manual trans) for years. My trailer was a 4X6 snow bear utility trailer with a slight mod to the front to get the bike to fit. Got the trailer at home depot assembled for just over $500. I like the trailer over the rail type cause of the lift gate making loading/unloading really easy. Still the trailer weighs less than 300 lbs.
Also, there are tons of places around that will sell you a hitch and install it with wiring for approx $270.
All that said, I recently upgraded to a Charger with a Hemi... still using the same trailer.
Prius
I actually pull the trailer, generator, gear,...etc with my Prius (I'm sure many of you have seen me and laughed at it). Just make sure you buy a fairly light trailer. I bought one at Harbor Freight Tools that requires assembly and it has been working beautifully for over 2 years.
I actually pull the trailer, generator, gear,...etc with my Prius (I'm sure many of you have seen me and laughed at it). Just make sure you buy a fairly light trailer. I bought one at Harbor Freight Tools that requires assembly and it has been working beautifully for over 2 years.
rk97
Member
NJ (and Ohio) is(are) pretty strict with vehicle laws.
we should both get more acquainted with the looser states, for trailers, bikes w/o titles, etc. Someone made a claim they could get my bike titled, and i've got ZERO chance at that in Ohio... MO doesn't even laminate drivers licenses. FL doesn't require MC insurance. AZ drivers licenses are good from age 16 to age 50 or something silly like that, and apparently WI doesn't consider single-axle trailers registration/insurance-worthy.
live and learn.
we should both get more acquainted with the looser states, for trailers, bikes w/o titles, etc. Someone made a claim they could get my bike titled, and i've got ZERO chance at that in Ohio... MO doesn't even laminate drivers licenses. FL doesn't require MC insurance. AZ drivers licenses are good from age 16 to age 50 or something silly like that, and apparently WI doesn't consider single-axle trailers registration/insurance-worthy.
live and learn.
surfercc
Control Rider
I bought a crappy trailer from lowes. They have the titles in their main office, and they send a manager out to transfer the title as soon as you pay the cashier. 45 min. and I was a legal beagle towing my bike in Pennsylvania.
I think what Blaise meant was you can't just buy a trailer from Harbor Freight and drive it that week. Any trailer you have to assemble will require a lengthy inspection and titling process through the state of PA to get tags and reg. I can't say for any other state...
jfeagin
New Member
Lowe's only has the certificate of origin. But when they sign it over to you, that should be all the DMV (MVA in MD) requires to register and plate the trailer because Lowe's is a licensed dealer. And trailers sold fully assembled don't require any post-purchase inspection.
If you buy used, be absolutely sure you're getting a clean title. Or a signed-over certificate of origin, previous owner's registration, or at least a notarized bill of sale. At least one of these things is necessary in a title state, sometimes more. I've learned way more than I wanted to know from our lovely MVA personnel. :doh: